Abstract:
Imagine washing your clothes by walking in the rain. No laundry. No dry-cleaning bills. A little water from the skies - or a spray bottle in dry climates - and you could wipe the dirt off your coat, dress, or trousers.

This vision is a step closer to reality thanks to a new coating developed by researchers at Clemson University in South Carolina. Highly water-repellent, it helps keep dirt from accumulating.

To mimic (the Lotus) effect, the Clemson team uses silver nanoparticles in its new coating. The particles create miniature protrusions on fabric while the polymer coating binds them permanently to the fabric.